Eduction tube for steam iron tanks



NOV- 11, 1952 w. E. ELLlNwooD ETAL 2,617,212

EDUCTION TUBE FOR STEAM IRON TANKS Filed May 3l, 1946 /A/VE/vro WILFRED E. ELLlNwooo HENRY V. EKSTEDT Patented Nov. l1, 1952 EDUcTIoN TUBE FOR STEAM IRON TANKS Wilfred E. Ellinwood, St. Louis, and Henry V. Ekstdt, Overland, Mo.

Application Mafif 31, 194s, Serial No. 673,345

9 Claims. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in eduction tubes for steam iron tanks.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an eduction tube for steam irons which is simple and economical in construction and can be readily fabricated from a minimum amount of machining stock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam eduction tube which incorporates improved steam discharge portsV and also functions to secure the sole plate ofthe steam iron to the Steam tank.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a Steam eduction tube which serves not only to conduct steam from the tank or boiler to the sole plate of the iron, but also functions to secure the sole plate and tank togetherjin such a manner as to prevent leakage of steam into the space occupied by the heating element.

And with the above and other objects in view, our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims. v

In the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an eduction tube constructed in accordance withv and embodying our present invention;

Figure 2 is a'n exploded view of the steam tube;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a steam iron showing the manner in which the steam eduction tubeof iron vthe present invention is incorporated in the en tire structure; V

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the forward tip of a steam iron equipped with the steam eduction tube of the present invention; e

along line 5- -5ff=off'Figure 4; y

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the steam eduction tube;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View of the forward or tip end of a steam iron fabricated with a cast aluminum tank and equipped with a modified form of steam eduction tube of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary Sectional view of another modied form of steam eduction tube embodying the present invention; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of a further modified form of steam eduction tube embodying the present invention.

Figure 5 is `a-fragmentary sectional view taken"l Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates practical embodiments of the present invention, A designates a Steam iron including a handle I, an outer shell 2, a preferably aluminum sole plate 3, an inner stamped sheet metal tank-T, and an electric heating element h, all more particularly disclosed and describedk in our co-pending application, Serial No. 644,358, filed January 30, 1946, now abandoned.

Provided for incorporation therein is a steam eduction tube B comprising a main tube 4 cliametrally enlarged at its lower end in the provision of a base skirt 5, which is machined off at its lower extremity in the provision of an abutment shoulder 6 and an insert rim l. The base skirt 5 furthermore is counterbored and internally threaded, as at 8, for receiving the tubular threaded end 9 of an intermediate, preferably brass ferrule Ill provided with a diametrally enlarged end portion II having a conical seating face I2 and an oppositely relieved conical port face I3.

Centrally of its under face I4, the ferrule Ill is provided with an internally threaded recess I5 opening into an interior axial passage I of hexagonal cross-section, which, in turn, at its open end opens into an enlarged or counterbored recess I'I for communication with the bore of the tube 4. Drilled inwardly at intervals around the port face I3 are steam outlet ducts I8 which extend inwardly and upwardly and open into the interior passage IB.

Provided for co-operation with the ferrule I is a closure plug I9 integrally including a :dat disk-like portion 20 having a conical or beveled peripheral face 2I and a concentric threaded stud 22 projectingA upwardly therefrom for threaded engagement in the recess I5. Upon its under face, the disk-like portion 20 is provided with a cross-shaped indentation or nick 23 for receiving a screw driver or other Similar hand tool by which the closure plug I9 may be driven securely in place.` It should be noted in this connection that the conical or beveled surfaces I2 of the ferrule I0 and the beveled surface 2B of the closure plug I9 are machined to appropriate angles for fitting `tightly and securely against complementarily machined surfaces s, s', in the sole plate 3. V

The main tube member 4 of the steam eduction tube B is brazed, welded, or otherwise suitably secured in the bottom wall of the tanky T, substantially as shown in Figure 5, and thereupon the heating element h and solevplate 3 are placed -ternal face of that in this assembled relation there is an en'- closed annular channel c between the upper face of the closure plug and the 'port face I3 of the ferrule HJ which acts as a sort ci steam distribution space or manifold and opens to three fore wardly extending and outwardly radiating steam discharge channels d suitably formed in the'u'nder face oi the sole plate 3 in the region of. the `tipV thereof. Not only does the steam eduction tube B function emciently to deliver steam from the interior of the tank T to the under face of the sole plate 3Afor discharge, but also holds the sole plate 3,tank andfheatingv element h together -i-n securely assembled relation. Furthermore, 'there is substantially no possibility for leakage of steam intofthe heating element h inasmuch as the threads of the ferr-uleV ill are tightly fitted hin the-threadsf of thebase skirt 5 'and the seating face l2 of the `friule 'Hl is in leakproof engagement with the tapered surface s; In fact,

by fabricating the ferrulelll' and sole rplate -3 from materials of different hardness, the seating face t2 andtapered sur-face s can be forced 'together with the tightness of a lappedjoint. Finally, all

chargesl forwardly toward? the tip of the iron through elongated steam slots d vformed in the sole plate 3, and cannot accidentally Vflow outwardly, and rearwardly to linjure the user if the iron lis accidentallyv dropped'or is set; .back on' its I-f desired, a-modified'orm of eduction tube B may be provided having a base .skirt 5', the exwh-ich .is ythreaded for insertion into .an =internallythreaded integral boss Vb-'formed lin the-interior of -a cast aluminum tank T for adaptation or the present invention to irons having vcast tanks, all as best seen in`Figur`e *7.

Another modified `form ofV ferrul IB' may be provided for co-operat'ion `with a closure'plug i9,

awall plate, and an eduction tube B, all -substantially in the form as above described. The

-ferrule i5 similar tothe ferrule AIll' except that it'is somewhat shortened `Vand abuttingly r engages Uashort tubular .sealing insert 24- formed .preferably of vsoft copper or other suitable material and V'beveled at its upperl end for seated engagement with Vthe beveled upper 'portion of the 'base skirt 5 in the provision @ranura and steam-tight joint, all as'bstmse'rl glll' y8.' l

Similarly, a b'de'diolrri 0f ca'St aluminum tank 'T" may be"provided'with an velongated upstanding'bo'ss b formed inthe interior thereof 'and provided with upper and lower internally Athreaded portions v2li, 26, terminating in Iinterior :tapered seatiaiz'es A, f', 'for respectively receiving two copper'sealing 4rings 2`4 of the typeabove described. VvThreaded' respectively into the portions '251, 26, of the bossb'l are an eduoationtube-B" steam 4circulates through the 'channel c andY disl co abuttingly disposed in tight engagement respectively with the flat end faces of the copper sealing.

rings 2li, all as best seen in Figure 9.

It should be understood that changes and modincations in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the eduction tube may be made and substituted for those herein shown :and described without departing from the nature and principlefof lour'invention.

Having thus described our invention, what i we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 'bores therein, said enlarged 4portion being provided With an internal thread, and a closure plug integrally including an enlarged disk portion and an axially projecting threaded stud for engagement with the thread in the ferrule.

2. In combination with a steam iron having a steam generating tank and 'a sole'plate provided with .a plurality of steam conductingpassageways, a steam eduction tube comprising a main tubular member having a diametrally enlarged base skirt for securement to the tank, a tubular ferrule removably mounted in the base skirt 'and provided at its other end with a diametrally enlarged end portion having -a plurality of steam ports communicating with the bore of the tubular member and said steam conducting passageways, and a closure plug mounted in the ferrule for guiding the steam issuing from the ports into said steam conducting passageways.

3. In combination with a .steam iron having a steam' generating tank and 'a sole plate provided with a plurality of steam conducting passageways, a steam eduction tubew comprising "a main tubular member having a diametrally enlarged base skirt for securement to the'tank, a tubular ferrule removably 'mounted in the base skirt and provided at its other end 'with av diametrally enlarged end portion having Aa piurality of steam ports communicating with the bore of the tubular member and said steam conducting passag'eways, and aclosure plug mounted in the terrine, said plug having a disk-like end portion of Vgreater diametral size than the end portion of the ferrule for guiding the steam issuing from the ports into said steam conducting passageways.

4. In combination, a steam iron tank having a bottom wall provided with an upstanding axially bored boss counter-bored and tapped at each end in 'the' provision of internally threaded recesses having inwardly tapered bottom Walls, 'a steam eduction 'tube integrally provided 'at one end with an enlarged externally threaded skirt portion having a flatend-face, a tubular r'errule vhaving a flat end-face and being externally threaded at one end for threaded engagement -ed recess, sealing rings disposed within Vtherecesses of the boss 4in endwise abutment, respectively, with the end-faces of the eduction tube and ferrule, and a closure plug integrally including an enlarged disk portion and an axially projecting threaded stud for engagement within the threaded recess of the ferrule.

5. An eduction tube for a steam iron provided with a water tank and steam conducting grooves in the sole plate thereof, comprising a main elongated tubular member securable to one of the Walls of said tank and internally threaded in the end adjacent to said wall, a tubular ferrule threaded into said tubular member and provided with an enlarged end in which a plurality of downwardly, outwardly inclined passageways are formed for communication with the bore in said tubular member and from which steam is ejected after entering said tubular member; and a plug threaded into said ferrule for directing steam into the grooves in the sole plate.

6. An eduction tube for a steam iron provided with a Water tank comprising a main elongated tubular member securable to the bottom wall of said tank and internally threaded in the end adjacent to said wall, a tubular ferrule threaded into said tubular member and provided with an enlarged end in which a plurality of downwardly, outwardly inclined passageways are formed for communication with the bore in said tubular member and from which steam is ejected after entering said tubular member, and a closure plug threaded into said ferrule.

7. A steam iron comprising a sole plate having a bore therein whose walls are provided with two inwardly tapered surfaces, said sole plate having a plurality of steam conducting passageways radiating from said bore, a water tank having a bottom wall mounted on said sole plate, an eduction tube comprising a main tubular member mounted on the bottom Wall of said tank, a tubular ferrule threaded into said main tubular member and having an enlarged end provided with a tapered surface for engagement with one of said inwardly tapered surfaces, said enlarged ends provided with ports for establishing communication between said main tubular member and said steam conducting passageways, and a closure plug for said ferrule provided with a head having a tapered surface thereon engageable with said second tapered surface in said bore and causing the steam issuing from the ports to enter said steam conducting passageways.

8. A steam iron comprising a sole plate having a bore therein whose walls are provided with two inwardly tapered surfaces, and with a plurality of steam conducting passageways radiating from said bore, a water tank having a bottom wall mounted on said sole plate, an eduction tube comprising a main tubular member mounted on the bottom wall of said tank, a tubular ferrule threaded into said main tubular member and having an enlarged end provided with a tapered surface for engagement with one of said inwardly tapered surfaces, said enlarged ends provided with ports for establishing communication between said main tubular member and said steam conducting passageways, a closure plug for said ferrule provided with a head having a tapered surface thereon engageable with said second tapered surface in said bore and causing the steam issuing from the ports to enter said steam conducting passageways, and a sealing tube disposed in said enlargement, one end of which abuts said ferrule and whose other end abuts said main tubular member for directing the ow of steam from said main tubular member into said tubular ferrule.

9. A steam induction tube for a steam iron comprising a main tubular member integrally provided at one end with an enlarged skirt portion having an internally threaded bore, a tubular ferrule externally threaded at one end for threaded engagement with the skirt and being provided at the other end with a diametrically enlarged end portion, said end having a beveled surface on its lower extremity and a plurality of radial bores therein, said enlarged portion being provided With an internal thread, a closure plug internally including an enlarged disc portion and an axially projecting threaded stud for engagement with the thread in the ferrule, and a sealing ring disposed in said enlargement, one end thereof engaging said ferrule and the other end engaging the inner surface of said enlargement.

WILFRED E. ELLINWOOD. HENRY V. EKSTEDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 519,805 Bavier May 15, 1894 562,736 Nilsson June 23, 1896 689,630 Autenrieth Dec. 24, 1901 1,590,245 Koenig June 29, 1926 2,218,323 Eckstein Oct. 15, 1940 2,240,211 Ekstedt Apr. 29, 1941 2,329,807 Wolcott Sept. 21, 1943 2,368,048 Stone Jan. 23, 1945 2,483,579 Green Oct. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 330,870 Great Britain June 19, 1930 

